The marker on the Canal Trail, presumably placed by Bender's late wife.
Mike Green, chair of the Roanoke Canal Commission, is beginning an effort that will not only make the marker, presumably placed near a Roanoke River overlook by Bender's late wife, more accessible, but also trying to reach surviving family members for a possible ceremony honoring the lieutenant's service to his country.
He is also working with the Roanoke Valley Veterans Center to honor Bender's service. “We would like to have a ceremony to bring him the recognition he is due,” Green said today.
While the main purpose of this effort is to honor an American veteran, it can also call more attention to the trail and Roanoke Canal Museum, he said.
What is known about the Bender flight is that it was a training mission from Maxwell Field in Alabama to Langley Field in Virginia.
What happened is unknown, but it is known that Bender was an accomplished pilot, who flew more than 100 combat missions, and received the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as the Air Medal.
According to news accounts at the time, Bender's plane was missed over Weldon as he was making a final approach to Langley. Radio contact with Bender at 400 feet was unsuccessful.
Two local boys, Marion Brown and Freddie Schmidt, found pieces of the plane before they knew about the crash, later locating part of a generator with the fresh smell of fuel, according to an account at the time reported in the Roanoke Rapids Herald.
The kiosk on the Canal Trail.
A subsequent report in the August 3, 1949, edition of the Statesville Record and Landmark says the remains of Bender were recovered the evening of the crash.
Green says the effort under way to honor Bender can also be used to further highlight the history of the Canal Trail. “Eighty percent of the people probably don't know this happened in 1949. He needs recognition.”
Green initiates this effort with blessings from the Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Department. “The recreation department fully supports recognizing the plane crash as it has been documented on the Canal Trail and in previous news media,” Director John Simeon said this afternoon.
The parks department hopes to be able to clear the area where the marker is located and put up pavers to allow easy access to it.
For Green, the effort means research to find surviving members of Bender's family. “I hope we can do something for him. I would like to have something in the museum, some artifacts to give thanks to him and his service to the country.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Green at 252-537-8971 or email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
